Flexible material clutch for a decorative piece and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A flexible material type clutch for engagement with a pin-supported article of jewelry or decorative article, wherein the flexible material is at least partially enclosed by a metallic frame. A medially disposed portion of said frame engages a first end of the flexible material, and includes wings which form opposed handles for gripping the retainer. In one embodiment, the flexible material is of frustoconical configuration to provide a camming surface enabling disengagement of the retainer from the frame for replacement thereof. In another embodiment, retainer is of cylindrical configuration, and is maintained against relative axial displacement relative to the frame by inwardly extending tabs on the wings of the frame. The retainer is replaced by lateral movement as in the first mentioned embodiment.

RELATED APPLICATION

Reference is made to our co-pending provisional application Ser. No.1,010,069, filed Jan. 7, 2008 to which a claim of priority is made.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of flexiblematerial clutches for decorative pieces which are mounted upon anelongated post for penetrating the ear lobe of a wearer, or an articleof clothing for display. Devices of this general type are well known inthe art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details whichprovide improved manufacture and assembly, as well as improveddurability during use.

In our earlier U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,610, granted Feb. 11, 2007, there isdisclosed a flexible material dutch of this type in which the flexiblematerial of rubber, polyethylene or similar elastomeric material is inthe shape of a rivet or mushroom with an axially disposed bore extendingtherethrough, selectively engaging and frictionally retaining anelongated post, an opposite end which supports an article of jewelry, oran ornament. A metallic frame includes a medially positioned base havingan opening is penetrated by a projecting part of the flexible material.The enlarged portion is maintained in position by engagement of a pairof laterally extending wings having openings terminating in handleswhich may be manually engaged by the user. The article of jewelry orornament is supported by an elongated post, a free end of whichpenetrates the opening of the frame, and a longitudinal bore in theflexible material to be frictionally retained thereby.

While making a substantial improvement in the art, the disclosedconstruction does not support the handles formed at the free end of thewings against the squeezing pressure applied by a user duringinstallation and removal. The addition of a support between the handlesas illustrated in FIG. 7 of this patent, provides a measure of support,but requires additional structure, which is subject to accidentaldislodgment with use. Further, it prevents the handles from exertinginwardly directed force upon the flexible material to constrict thepassage for the pin, thereby adding to the gripping action of theresilient material.

While this construction is of substantial utility, its value issubstantially limited to devices which are made from base metals, ratherthan relatively precious metals. Thus, when the flexible material haslost its frictional retaining ability, the entire device may bediscarded to be replaced by a new similar device with or without therelated jewelry piece. In the case of relatively more expensive jewelrywhich is made from precious metals, rather than formed from plated orcoated base materials, the frame will normally be formed from similarprecious metal, and cannot be as readily discarded. There thus arises aneed for repairing the device by replacing the flexible material partwithin the precious metal frame, a process which is not readilyaccomplished using prior art devices, which, once assembled, are notreadily capable of disassembly, without destroying their utility. Therethus arises a need for providing an improved device and method for usingthe same which avoids the above-mentioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of an improvedconstruction of the class described in which the above-mentioned problemhas been substantially addressed. To this end, the frame may be formedfrom precious material such as that used in the manufacture of thearticle of jewelry, and the flexible material, in a first embodiment, isformed in the shape of a truncated cone to form an insert cammingsurface with the larger end diameter in contact with the base of theframe. The projection extending through an opening in the frame iseliminated, and in place thereof, a tapered recess is provided to assistin guiding the pin on the jewelry article into the bore of the retainer.When the retainer has lost its frictional retaining ability, it isremoved from the frame in a lateral or axial direction relative to theframe, to be engaged by the frame for further use using a suitable toolinserted between the base of the frame and the forward end of theretainer. A new retainer is then installed in a lateral directionrelative to the frame, to be engaged by frame for further use. Thisprocedure is accomplished without distorting the frame beyond itselastic limit.

In a second embodiment, the frame wings which extend to form fingerengaging handles, are provided with inwardly extending tabs which engagean exposed end surface of the retainer to maintain the retainer in fixedengagement with the frame. The retainer is of cylindrical configuration,and is particularly suitable for use where the device is of relativelysmall overall size. The retainer can also be removed and replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference characters have been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showing the insertion of a tool betweenthe frame and the retainer to assist in removal of the retainer prior toreplacement thereof.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention inassembled condition.

FIG. 4 is a view of a frame forming part of the second embodiment inplanar condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the device,generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: amolded retainer 11, and an enclosing frame 12. (See FIG. 1)

The retainer 11 may be formed of any suitable elastomeric material, suchas rubber, polyethylene, silicone, or similar material. It is bounded bya front end surface 20, conical side surface 21, a rear surface 22, anaxially aligned bore 31 of a diameter smaller than that of the smallestpin, which may be used.

The enclosing frame 12 is of generally the same form as that disclosedin our above-mentioned patent, and includes a base 30, having a centralopening 29, and first and second rearwardly extending wings 32 and 33,which terminate in finger engaging handles 34 and 35. The base includesa centrally positioned opening 29 to accommodate the end of the pinretaining channel 27.

FIG. 2 illustrates the removal of a worn retainer 11, when required. Asuitable tool 29, (FIG. 2), or the end of a small knife blade isinserted between the frame 12 and the retainer 11, and is used to movethe retainer into a disaligned axial position against the resilientpressure of the wings 32 and 33, following which it is laterally oraxially shifted out of engagement with the frame, and discarded. Areplacement retainer is then inserted in lateral or axial lateraldirection, the conical side surfaces serving to progressively cam thewings 32 and 33 slightly outwardly until fully seated, as shown in FIG.1.

The reassembled device may then be used in normal manner until thereplacement retainer becomes sufficiently worn, to warrant furtherreplacement.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, to avoid needlessrepetition, certain of the parts corresponding to those of the firstembodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with theadditional prefix “I”.

The second embodiment, (FIGS. 3 and 4), is particularly suited for usewhere a device of smaller overall size is desirable. The retainer 111 isof generally cylindrical configuration rather than of frustoconicalconfiguration, and is maintained within the frame 112 by the provisionof bendable tabs 150 and 151, which engage the rear end thereof.

When replacement of the retainer 111 is necessary, it is accomplished ina similar manner, i.e., with a lateral movement between the frame andthe retainer. The wings of the frame require relatively littledistortion, and the tabs 150 and 151 do not interfere with lateralmovement involved. Accordingly, the second embodiment includes framewings which include openings 148 and 149, which are formed to includebendable tabs 150 and 151 which engage the free end of the retainerduring possible distortion thereof, which would occur during disengagingmovement imparted by the user. The tabs 150 and 151 are mutually spacedto permit access to the post retaining channel of the retainer.

It may thus be seen that we have invented novel and highly usefulimprovements in flexible material clutch devices for decorative pieces,jewelry and the like. The use of the described method permits themanufacture of the frame to be made from precious metals rather thanbase metals, which frame may be provided with replacement retainerswhich have become worn, or have become otherwise unusable, so that theframe may be continuously used, if desired, with other articles ofjewelry.

We wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention to belimited to the precise details of structure illustrated and described inthe specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilledin the art to which the present invention pertains.

1. In a clutch for a decorative piece, including a flexible materialpost-engaging retainer, and a metal frame providing a base plate at afirst end of said retainer and handles at a second end of said frame,the improvement comprising: said retainer having first and second ends;said frame forming a base plate at a medial portion thereof, and firstand second handles extended axially therefrom, said handles formingopenings therein engaging said retainer to retain said retainer inpartially enclosed condition relative to said frame; said retainer beingof elongated arcuate configuration and having a camming surface servingto spread said frame during relative movement between said frame andsaid retainer, to permit disengagement of said retainer for replacement.2. The method of using a frictional dutch for a decorative piece havinga pin extending therefrom, comprising the steps of: a) providing anelongated retainer of synthetic resinous material selectively engageablewith said pin, said retainer having an elongated arcuate side surface;b) providing a frame of metallic material having a base and a pair ofwings extending therefrom, having openings selectively engaging saidsurface of said retainer; c) employing said dutch to a point where saidretainer becomes unserviceable; d) replacing said retainer by displacingsaid retainer relative to said frame, to disengage said retainer bycamming action; and e) engaging a replacement retainer with said frame,by relative movement, whereby said frame is resiliently spread by slideaction provided by the camming surface of said replacement retainer. 3.The method in accordance with claim 2, in which said retainer is offrustoconical configuration.
 4. The method in accordance with claim 2,in which said retainer is of cylindrical configuration.
 5. In a clutchfor a decorative piece, having a post extending therefrom, said clutch,including a flexible material post-engaging retainer, and a metal frame,providing a base plate at a first end of said retainer and handles at asecond end of said frame, said handles forming an opening therein,engaging said retainer, the improvement comprising: said handles of saidframe having radially inwardly extending tabs engaging an end of saidretainer to maintain said retainer against relative movement in an axialdirection.